'The short story is that red dots are faster while riflescope optics are more precise and better over distance'

I know, I know. I just said that Riflescopes are better than red dot optics in the previous article " Riflescope Vs Red dot - Unpacking The benefits of Precision". Now I’m telling you why a reflex sight is now BETTER than a riflescope. The truth is there is no silver bullet that solves all your hunting and self-defense needs. I still think that riflescopes are better for medium to long range tasks, and better for most hunting needs and precision. In saying all that, if you need to get on target FAST, need to be aware of your surroundings and precision is not as important as swift reactions, you may want a red dot on your weapon. The good news is that Osprey Scopes makes excellent versions of both scopes and red dots.

In the world of sporting optics, the debate between red dot sights and riflescopes has raged on for years. While both optical systems have unique strengths, this article explores why red dot sights are often preferred over riflescopes in various shooting scenarios. Red dot sights provide shooters with advantages in terms of speed, versatility, and simplicity that make them an excellent choice for many shooting enthusiasts.

Understanding Red Dot Sights and Riflescopes

We already know from the last article, and probably from experience, that a red dot optic has no magnification while a rifle scope has the magnification and often zoom capabilities. The short story is that red dots are faster while riflescope optics are more precise and better over distance. There are a few other reasons to choose an Osprey red dot than just speed.

Advantages of Red Dot Sights Over Riflescopes

Quick Target Acquisition:

Red dot sights excel in providing quick and easy target acquisition. The illuminated red dot is instantly visible, allowing shooters to place their reticles on the target rapidly. This speed is a significant advantage in close-quarters and dynamic shooting scenarios. 

Both Eyes Open:

Red dot sights enable you to keep both eyes open while aiming. This is crucial for situational awareness, as the operator can maintain a wider field of view, track moving targets, and stay aware of their surroundings, which is especially valuable in home defense or law enforcement situations. Osprey scopes do have some excellent scopes that allow you to easily keep both eyes open as highlighted in the article "Top Three Optics for AR-15". That being said, no scope has an absolute limitless eye relief like a red dot.

Parallax-Free Design:

Most red dot sights are designed to be parallax-free at a specific distance, which means that the point of aim remains consistent regardless of the operator's eye position. This eliminates the need for precise eye alignment and allows for quick, accurate shots from various shooting positions.

Illuminated Reticle:

Osprey Red dots have illuminated dots or reticles. Most of Osprey Globals red dots have red and green dots. Some even have, blue so you will be drawn quickly to the point of impact and can choose which color is the most prominent for your eyesight.

Close-Quarter engagement:

In close-quarters engagements, red dot sights have a distinct advantage over riflescopes. The rapid target acquisition, coupled with both-eyes-open shooting, allows shooters to respond swiftly to immediate threats. This is ideal for self-defense in a home or building.

Versatile Use:

Red dot sights are highly versatile optics, suitable for a wide range of applications. They perform well in home defense, personal defense, law enforcement, and competitive target disciplines where speed and accuracy are paramount.

Low-Light Performance:

Red dot sights utilize illuminated reticles, making them effective in low-light conditions. The red dot is easy to see in various lighting environments, ensuring that the operator can maintain accuracy even in dimly lit areas. Many of Osprey's scopes have illuminated reticles for the same reason, to highlight the crosshair against a dark background. This is extremely useful in hunting hogs at night.

Simplicity:

Red dot sights are known for their simplicity and user-friendliness. They are easy to operate and require minimal training to use effectively. This makes them accessible to both novice and experienced enthusiasts. Since most shots will be at close range, you know a hole is going where the reticle is, no need to do any math at all.

Weight and Size:

Red dot sights are typically lightweight and compact, adding minimal bulk to the firearm. This is especially beneficial for those who prefer lightweight and maneuverable setups, such as those used for home defense or competitive shooting.

Co-Witness:

You can set up your red dot or reflex sight on your weapon so you can see the front sight so even if you run out of batteries or lose your zero, you can still make an accurate shot. If you want to learn more about how and when to co-witness your Osprey red dot, check out this article: How And Why To Co-Witness Red Dots

Ospreys Top Selling Red Dot:

Osprey Scopes' most popular red dot is the red dot with a green laser. It is a barrel-style red dot that has a precision green laser attached to the side. This is ideal for fast target acquisition and self-defense. The red dot itself changes from red to green with multiple choices on the power of luminosity. You don’t always want a bright dot as it can distract from what you are aiming at.

Check it out here: Osprey Red Dot With Green Laser.

Final Thoughts

While red dot sights are not the best choice for every rifle set-up, their advantages over riflescopes cannot be denied. The speed, versatility, and user-friendliness of red dot sights make them a preferred choice for many people, especially in close-quarters engagements and dynamic situations. Whether it's for personal defense, law enforcement, or competitive events, red dot sights provide an edge in terms of target acquisition and speed.

It's important to note that the choice between a red dot sight and a riflescope ultimately depends on the hunter's intended use and preferences. Some shooters may opt for both optics, using a red dot sight for close-quarters engagements and a riflescope for long-range accuracy. The key is to select the optics that align with your shooting requirements and enhance your overall performance in the field or on the range.

I prefer hunting and long distances so I do prefer Ospreys Rifle Scopes as opposed to their red dots, but admit there are many scenarios where the red dot is superior. As mentioned before, by grabbing a 45-degree mount, you can literally do both.